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Interview: Author, Georgia Woodbine

My book is about living a life of fulfillment and living in purpose. I discuss the importance of building your spiritual foundation and then incorporating business strategies. I tell people that struggle is the process that's taking you where you want to go. I'm promoting how you can have prosperity and peace.

Photo: "How To Make Big Bucks Without Selling Your Soul" by Georgia Woodbine

Black Star News Columnist, Phil Andrews interviews Georgia Woodbine, Author of "How To Make Big Bucks Without Selling Your Soul".Â Sparking an inspirational phenomenon wherever she goes, bestselling author and motivational speaker, Georgia Woodbine, gives it to you straight in her powerful book.Â This tell-it-like-it-is book reveals the secrets to living a life of fulfillment that will show you how to tap into your spiritual power and allow God to be the director of your life.

After working in the music industry for over ten years, Ms. Woodbine was inspired to use her experiences and life-learned lessons to help others find the path to their passion and purpose.Â Ms. Woodbine worked as a manager for artists and producers. Some of the projects her artists and producers collaborated on were: Roc-A-Fella Records-Memphis Bleek's "Everybody;" Amil's "No One Can Compare;" Maurice Malone- BAGS' "Come One Come All;" Atlantic Records -Spence featuring Memphis Bleek; Warner Bros/Lifeline Ent-Youth Asylum's "It'll Be Alright," Produced by Quincy Jones. Ms. Woodbine has also worked for a variety of entertainment companies such as; Def Jam, PolyGram, WNYU Radio, Black Enterprise Magazine, and the Apollo Theatre.Â

Capitalizing on her experience with project management, publicity, promotions, and marketing, Ms. Woodbine formed a successful copywriting and marketing consulting company. G&J Consulting Services was formed to help independent record labels, start-up companies, online publications, publishers, artists, and authors with the presentation of their product and/or service. Some clients include; ASCAP, Warner Bros. Records, HarperCollinsPublishers, WEA, Gots to Have It Marketing/Give â€˜n Take Network, NetworkShops, and many others...

BSN:Â What experiences lead you to the decision to name your book "How To Make Big Bucks Without Selling Your Soul"?Georgia: Heart wrenching and painful experiences inspired me to write this book. The title came about from working in the entertainment industry for over 10 years and watching people do all types of things to get money, fame, exposure, record deals and meetings with high level executives.Â I grew up in the church and I always had passion when I worked in the music industry and I knew deep down in my heart there were certain things that I was just not willing to do to become successful.Â I have always been driven. So, this title seemed very appropriate for what every person in the world is seeking to attain â€¦love, peace, happiness, security, prosperity and overall fulfillment of life.

BSN:What are the stages of personal, spiritual, and business development that you cover in your book that will help readers find their true destiny?Georgia: This book was developed to help people who are searching for a greater life of purpose and seeking to change from unfulfilling careers and dead-end relationships. It bares effective strategies that you can use to find the business that is best suited for your natural abilities, skills, and talents and will open your eyes to the great things that God has in store for you. It will help readers tap into their powerful resource and provides inspirational insight on finding true success.

BSN:Did you have any entrepreneurial experiences at an early age, if so can you share your unique experiences with our readers?Georgia:Â I always had the determination and drive of an entrepreneur since a very young age. I always wanted to work for myself.Â Â At 14 years old, I started a company called, â€œGee's Business Servicesâ€? which specialized in making business cards, logos, flyers, menus and invitations.Â I charged $35.00.Â When I received my first $35.00, I gained the confidence to move forward.Â At age 17, while in high school, I started typing report papers for high school and college students, friends, and family. When I realized the demand I started to charge a fee and people paid me with no problem.

BSN:Â Georgia, your background is in the music industry, what lead to your drastic decision to enter spiritual- focused publishing? Georgia: Well, to be honest it was not something I had planned.Â I thought chasing the music industry was going to make me successful.Â Â I had to let go of my passion for the music industry and allow God to use my passion for his works, then I pretty much stumbled upon the idea of a publishing company.Â I prayed consistently for purpose for my life.Â I was tired of going in complete circles and thatâ€™s when I got the vision for the book and the company.

BSN:Â Georgia, how can an average person begin to make big bucks with losing their soul?Georgia: Well, basically everyone wants to know the answer right away to this question.Â Â My response is always the million dollar question should be whatâ€™s stopping you from making big bucks without selling your soul and the answer to that question is always right in front of us, but we as individuals have to make a choice to do things differently if we want to see different results.

BSN:You have a multitude of talents, can you tell a little bit about some of the other projects you are involved in at this time? Georgia: I am currently speaking to high school kids and college students.Â I am working with some wardens right now to get this book into the prisons and also speak to prisoners about finding true success.Â I have also donated books to charities and Iâ€™m working with women shelters to offer a free seminar.

BSN:What was your initial goal in publishing "How To Make Big Bucks Without Selling Your Soul"?Georgia: My goal is to be that person that makes a difference in the lives of millions that are searching for a better way of life.Â I went through so many painful experiences and stumbling blocks where I wanted to give up before I got to the place of living a life of fulfillment.Â I want to share my story with millions, how I struggled as a single mother confused trying to find my way and was able to make through with flying colors once I learned how to depend on my source -- â€œGodâ€?.

BSN:How successful have you been in reaching the goal you set out to accomplish in publishing your national best selling book?Georgia: With faith and favor, I am able to do what I love, love what I do and get paid for it.Â I had to step out on faith.Â I used to work for a pharmaceutical company making close to $80,000 a year. Now, I make in one hour what I used to make in one week. It's truly a blessing when you believe the vision that God has given you and then step out with confidence and allow him to do the things in your life that he promised.Â

BSN:Â Georgia, you have another company by the name of G & J Consulting, what does G & J consulting provide for potential clients seeking to use your services?Georgia: G&J Consulting Services is a professional copywriting and marketing consulting company,Â that develops promotional, marketing, and advertising campaigns to maximize exposure and increase visibility for our clientsâ€™ business and/or products.Â

BSN:Georgia, what are the secrets to living a life of fulfillment? Georgia: The secret to living a life of fulfillment is being able to live in purpose.Â Once you can connect the dots of your passion, talents, skills and natural abilities for the greater good, that will give you the greatest joy that you could ever imagine. In Romans 8:28 it says, â€œAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose â€œ

BSN:Â Georgia, what costly mistakes have you made that you share with those eager to learn from your most valuable life lessons?Georgia:Â To let go and let God.Â We always want to be in control of everything that happens.Â The truth is, there are many things that we do not have control over, especially people.Â Once we understand the divine order that is set for our lives, we can focus on the things of importance and use that energy in a positive way.Â Â

BSN:Â Georgia, you are wise beyond your years, what process helped to gain so much knowledge in so short number of years?Georgia: I call it spiritual wisdom.Â Â I know that all the knowledge, wisdom and understanding I have comes from God.Â Once I began to seek out and get closer to God thatâ€™s when I started to get mind blowing ideas, visions and revelations.Â

BSN:Â Georgia, I believe you have a unique gift from God which helps people find their calling in life.Â What are some of the keys to a person finding their unique calling in life?Georgia:Â What I'm doing is not just talking about how to make money.Â Â My book is about living a life of fulfillment and living in purpose.Â I discuss the importance of building your spiritual foundation and then incorporating business strategies.Â I tell people that struggle is the process that's taking you where you want to go.Â I'm promoting how you can have prosperity and peace.Â Â I believe the only way to find your calling is to find your motive to whatâ€™s driving your passion.Â Â Once you can understand what you want out of life, then you can make necessary adjustments to change your life.Â

BSN:Â Georgia, you have a tremendous calling on your life, did you have any mentors along the way, if so, please tell us a little about the mentors who have shaped your life?Georgia: I have many mentors including Earl Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine,Â I worked as his personal assistant. Andrew Morrison, successful business coach and many others along the way that that brought both positive and negative energy to my life throughout the years which contributed to my development, growth, and change.

BSN:Â Georgia, what are your short term and long term goals for the future?Georgia: You can expect great things.Â I always pray and affirm - focus and purpose for my life to empower, encourage and motivate millions worldwide.Â Spiritual Focus Publishing has more books, CDâ€™s, DVDâ€™s as well as a variety of motivational products on the way.

BSN:Georgia, where can they purchase a copy and do you currently have a web site?Georgia:How To Make Big Bucks Without Selling Your Soul is available at my website www.spiritualfocuspublishing.com , by phone at 888-340-3409 and at Barnes & Noble bookstore.Â Â

BSN:Georgia, how can Non-for- Profits, Community,Â Organizations, Churches, Fraternities, Chambers of Commerce, Civic Groups, and Colleges and Universities contact you to request you to speak to their organization?Georgia: I can be reached at 888-340-3409 or email me at info@spiritualfocuspublishing.com

Phil Andrews is a Business Columnist for Black Star News and host of The Power Networking Series located at www.powernetworkingseries.com. The Power Networking Series is a referral-based business network online and offline which offers membership and presents monthly Power Networking Series Business Card Exchanges in the NYC metropolitan area.To subscribe to or advertise in New Yorkâ€™s leading Pan African weekly investigative newspaper, please call (212) 481-7745 or send a note to Milton@blackstarnews.comâ€œSpeaking Truth To Empower.â€?